But for Downing Street, Peter Mandelson risks being a headache that simply will not end. The aim of this will be to focus as much fire as possible on Starmer personally. Notably, the Reform UK leader said questions should be asked about the judgment of not just Starmer but Morgan McSweeney, his influential chief of staff. McSweeney is the focus of considerable anger from Labour MPs. This is the current Labour endgame, the place at which essentially all conversations about Starmer within the party now end up: how much longer does he have?

Source: The Guardian February 03, 2026 22:59 UTC